Emma Raducanu reaches Queen’s Club final with double victory
Emma Raducanu has stormed into the Queen’s Club final after a brilliant double victory on Saturday, and she’s feeling better than ever, reports BritPanorama.
The British No. 1 defeated lucky loser Kamille Rakhimova and sixth seed Iva Jovic to secure her place in Sunday’s championship match against Donna Vekic. This marks her third career final and her first on home turf—a significant moment for the 23-year-old.
“I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily the ‘old Emma’. I think it’s the new Emma because you take all of your lessons and experiences and all the ups and downs,” Raducanu explained.
The world No. 42 has shown exceptional form throughout the tournament, not dropping a single set all week. She powered past Anna Blinkova, Sorana Cirstea, Rakhimova, and Jovic with commanding performances, despite rain delays causing disruptions in the schedule.
Raducanu’s quarter-final match was postponed until late on Friday evening, highlighting the challenging conditions she navigated. Having Andrew Richardson back in her corner seems to have made a notable impact. Richardson previously guided her to victory at the US Open in 2021.
Nearly five years after her stunning triumph as a teenage qualifier, Raducanu finds herself on the brink of her second career title. Throughout the tournament, support from the home crowd has been a vital source of energy for her, prompting her to acknowledge some standout fans after her semi-final victory.
“Can I just give a shoutout—there’s, like, three guys over there, I was 0-30 on one service game and I had the ‘Radders’ going. All the support today has been incredible,” she stated on court.
Those enthusiastic chants arrived precisely when she needed a boost, as Raducanu noted with a grin, “In that moment they were so loud and penetrated through the rest of the crowd.” She has now tasked her team with locating those three fans to ensure they can return for the final.
“Any sort of play on the name I quite like,” she added, further expressing her hope to reunite with her supporters. “Regardless, I will get my agents to find them and get them back tomorrow.”
This emphasizes the deep connection she has forged with her fans throughout the week. Raducanu also expressed gratitude towards her wider team, acknowledging their unwavering belief during tougher periods when performances were less successful.
In sports, few things prove more uplifting than the palpable bond forged between a player and their supporters—a reminder of how sport can truly galvanize a community.
